Page 34 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2020

First, my thoughts and prayers are with each of you and especially anyone who has been directly affected. So far the ‘coast is clear’, at least as far as
I know. When I turn inside and say a ‘prayer’ (call it what you want) from
my heart, it is for our earth and for each of us to find our human kindness
is all this. The song ‘Breathing Under Water’ by Emeli Sande is especially comforting as the words, “I believe in miracles” is a good saying about now. I pray for miracles and for healing. We all do.
Blessings of New Beginnings
Please take a look and listen. Have something to wipe tears away! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye-3d2QCz2o
Ariel Coddington and Bradley Mills, of the Bodega Country Store, brought new life to the world just before sunrise on February 26 - the first day of Adar, the month of Joy in the Hebrew calendar. Their son, Dov Allen Chaim Mills Coddington, came nearly three weeks early and was perfect and healthy. They thank the community for their support.
We all are talking about, learning about, and living with this pandemic (which is what we should be doing). For this moment let’s focus on the Earth since it is Earth Day Wednesday April 22. When I read about the air clearing, the water clearer, neighbors’ texting as they identify bird calls, and families spending time together outside this is the good news. The bright side is our Earth needed this pause. Our earth is taking a deep breath! And now we all get a chance to change our global and local footprint, to clear our calendars, to be home, and a chance to self-reflect on our lives. Reset our future.
“The store has been a blessing,” says Coddington. Open for business and
it’s busier than ever - “wow!” Her only worry had been having a baby in the middle of the slow season. She fills orders from home, limiting her exposure to protect baby Dov.
Working in your garden providing for your own needs is super. However when you make a run to the grocery store maybe call one person (whether older or young) and see how they are doing and what they might need. It
can keep more people at home and that is a good thing. I want to highlight Anchor Bay Grocery Store in Anchor Bay and the sweetest owners Barbara and Alfredo. It is truly my pleasure as I have known them for over 25 years and through those years they always been in the grocery business. They were my ‘go to’ staff when I had a question. They treat their customers with love and kindness. Their food is the best of quality while their store is charming and full of details with their custom cut meats, wild fish, organic veggies
Mills is now more hands-on, since being furloughed at Simply Solar. While doing the procedures and training of help, he acknowledges “Ari’s success”
in the business while doing most of it herself and being there during her whole pregnancy. They are both very happy with their appreciative helpers.
and products, homemade soups and sandwiches made fresh every day.
From Facebook “They also have gluten free and vegan options. Anchor Bay Store is the only store on the Coast to sell Navarro Wines, which pair very well.....” Reviews from costumers share the same sentiments “Not only a great market with attention to organic and GF food, but owned and staffed
by great community oriented people”. Most importantly it is a small store
and good social distancing can be practiced. Go local and make the drive to Anchor Bay Store. Check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ anchorbaystore/.
Their vision had always been “to be
a community resource,” and that they
are. Utilizing this focused time, they’re
hoping to have the Deli open in April! The California Department of Food and Agriculture blessed them with a grant from the Farm to Fork program, with which they bought equipment. Plans were approved and the projected completion date is being moved up, just like their expected arrival of their son - originally March 15th. Things have a funny way of working themselves out. Mills reveals, “It’s happening (in time), but we don’t want to rush it.”
When I started writing this article a few weeks back I have since had to rewrite it two times now. So with all events cancelled and all parks closed it is a different story. So let’s just talk about staying healthy with walking. Many of you reading this have lots of space with neighborhood back roads that you can walk. Those of you who do not have this opportunity out their back door please be creative. Most importantly please follow the advice of our county and state officials.
Mills describes that “the best part of this whole situation is that it forces you to think of others first.” There’s a Yin-Yang of reaching out for help and also offering assistance, essentially re-evaluating selfishness. We are still in control of our lives, even though we are powerless in certain areas. Usually, personal boundaries aren’t mandated by appointed officials and the Governor doesn’t control our social behaviors. Despite these restrictions, we can live the best life, for ourselves, our families and our community.
Walking is one of the best forms for mental well-being. It helps your heart, burns calories, aids in digestion, helps with creativity, and alleviates joint pain. What is really great about walking is it boosts your immunity and helps you sleep. Another thing that has been good for me is to turn off the news
Now that we are all facing this new reality, it’s easier to see what’s important. Things are clearer, like knowing the importance of family. We can take advantage of more time in nature, doing things with and for each other like never before. Embrace this new normal while we have the opportunity. It’s hard to predict what our future is going to look like, so just enjoy quality time and make the most of the situation, together.
– just even for a day or a few days. If something big happens you will hear about it.
My advice? Take that walk you’ve been skipping, get creative cleaning out the pantry, do projects you’ve been meaning to tackle, whip out board games that’ve been gathering dust, have those conversations you’ve been avoiding, take a long bath, get crafty, organize, rest!) Just try to not stress and we’ll be through this in no time.
What is your game plan? What reminders do you have for us?
I hope you brighten your day listening to the sounds around you. Here are some words from Elton John’s earliest album - “I meant to do my work today, a brown bird sang in the apple tree ...and a butterfly flitted across the field and all the leaves were calling me....http://www.eltonography.com/songs/i_ meant_to_do_my_work_today.html If you learn this verse, it is more than 20 seconds when washing your hands.
Many blessings.
OPEN for take-out: The Casino Bar & Grill 876-3185 - Wildflour Bakery 874-2938 - Bodega Bay Oyster Co. 876-3010 - Valley Ford Cheese Co. 875-7073 or 293-5636 - Dinucci’s 876-3260 - Estero Cafe 876-3333
Coping with COVID-19
34 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 4/20